Getting rid of 650, need advice

Unfortunately, I will be getting rid of my 07 650i (sport package, premium package, cold weather package). The car has been amazing and is the best vehicle I have owned, however I am going to be moving and need a vehicle that is AWD for winter commuting. My current commute is about 15 min and my new commute will be close to an hour.

However, I am having trouble deciding what to buy next. I test drove an 09 535xi with premium package (no sport package) and was very underwhelmed. It was a nice car, but it wasn't anywhere near as quick as the 6 and I felt like I was sitting high.

Right now I am stuck in terms of what to get into next. Some background info on me (late 20's, 6'3", no kids, moving to NYC). I'm looking to lay out very little money (a couple grand) on the trade of my 6 for the next car.

Here is what I am looking at (note: I'm looking at an 2008-2010 model for all):

335xi
Pro: Just as fast (if not faster) then 6. Fuel efficient. cheapest of all to maintain.
Con: Small interior. Looks aren't that impressive (still a 3) and doesn't turn heads. Feels like a kids car and being tall I fee like a bit of a clown getting out of a small vehicle. RFTs

535xi
Pro: larger interior, feels more like a grown up car.
Con: slowest of the 3 listed here. RFTs

Audi S5:
Pro: Design wise it is the nicest of the 3(IMHO). Similar performance to 335. No RFTs
Con: V8 engine isn't great for commuting.

What would you all pick as your next vehicle if you were in my situation?

I would go with the Audi. I am already looking at the convertible as a possible replacement to my 6. After a test drive I was very impressed with the car.

The coupe looks very good in my opinion. Way better than a 3 series.

Hi! They are adding a AWD to the 6 Series range, maybe 2013/14 !!! It will only be in left hand drive!!!

Originally Posted by enkne1

Unfortunately, I will be getting rid of my 07 650i (sport package, premium package, cold weather package). The car has been amazing and is the best vehicle I have owned, however I am going to be moving and need a vehicle that is AWD for winter commuting. My current commute is about 15 min and my new commute will be close to an hour.

However, I am having trouble deciding what to buy next. I test drove an 09 535xi with premium package (no sport package) and was very underwhelmed. It was a nice car, but it wasn't anywhere near as quick as the 6 and I felt like I was sitting high.

Right now I am stuck in terms of what to get into next. Some background info on me (late 20's, 6'3", no kids, moving to NYC). I'm looking to lay out very little money (a couple grand) on the trade of my 6 for the next car.

Here is what I am looking at (note: I'm looking at an 2008-2010 model for all):

335xi
Pro: Just as fast (if not faster) then 6. Fuel efficient. cheapest of all to maintain.
Con: Small interior. Looks aren't that impressive (still a 3) and doesn't turn heads. Feels like a kids car and being tall I fee like a bit of a clown getting out of a small vehicle. RFTs

535xi
Pro: larger interior, feels more like a grown up car.
Con: slowest of the 3 listed here. RFTs

Audi S5:
Pro: Design wise it is the nicest of the 3(IMHO). Similar performance to 335. No RFTs
Con: V8 engine isn't great for commuting.

What would you all pick as your next vehicle if you were in my situation?

Moving from the 6 will not be easy. Few production cars will turn heads like this one.
My wife drives a 2012 F10- 528i. It's nice and pretty peppy in sport mode. Don't make a final decision till you test drive a new (2012/2013) 5 series. If that does not do it for you then I would say the S5 could be the best choice.

Originally Posted by enkne1

and need a vehicle that is AWD for winter commuting. My current commute is about 15 min and my new commute will be close to an hour....

Maybe pick up a used 2012 650 xDrive. This is my second winter, no problems (on winter tires). Don't know how that will fit your budget, but it will be an awesome ride.

Ha said he only wanna lay out a couple of thousands plus the trade in. Therefore, new 6, new 5 is not really a choice. Maybe possible to get the 11' 528i but as he said he want speed too.

I say go for S5 vert if you want a convertible. If not 3 series would do. You can always make it faster if you think it's not as fast as the 6.

I would stick with the 6 mate lol

S5 is a beautiful ride and I considered it when shopping for my convertible. I only liked their hard top version... The convertible didn't sit right with me. I didn't like the look of it... It looked more like the s4 for some reason.

Nothing beats the 6. I am so happy with it and was the beat decision I made!

I would go Audi... Let face it MPG isn't that important to us or you wouldn't even have the 650...
Size makes a difference in NYC but lets face it 3 series after a 6. I had an Escalade there and it was a pain even though I lived in Weehawken NJ on the river. Ended up just taking a ferry across and then metro/taxi...
Keep the 6 and maybe think of something like a AWD Cad. CTS STS....

We do have a resident expert for driving in snow with a 6.
I think his biggest complaint so far was something about not having his summer set all together in one geographical location and summer was coming or something like that.
Ohhhh Yorgi????

As someone who learned to drive up north, the key is winter tires, not awd. Even today, I have driven two rear wheel drive in the mountains in teh snow (with my handy easy on easy off spike spyder chains) with no issues.

So, get a set of snow tires and keep the 6.

Also, why drive into NYC every day. Train man!

Originally Posted by mjposner

As someone who learned to drive up north, the key is winter tires, not awd. Even today, I have driven two rear wheel drive in the mountains in teh snow (with my handy easy on easy off spike spyder chains) with no issues.

So, get a set of snow tires and keep the 6.

Also, why drive into NYC every day. Train man!

100% agree! Snow tires make a huge difference and never had a problem when I was driving 36k miles a year with RWD BMW's in Michigan.

Even now I have an AWD car so I don't have to put chains on it (CA allows 4Wd without chains, but 2WD requires them) but I still have snow tires for it. Huge difference!

Originally Posted by greco2000

S5 is a beautiful ride and I considered it when shopping for my convertible. I only liked their hard top version... The convertible didn't sit right with me. I didn't like the look of it... It looked more like the s4 for some reason.

Nothing beats the 6. I am so happy with it and was the beat decision I made!

+1, as much as I loved the test drive of the Audi S5 vert, the lines of the coupe are lost in the convertible. I also think it looks too much like the S4. I can tell you that even though it has less HP, it is faster than the 6. When the day comes to decide this will probably be my biggest issue with the Audi since I HAVE to have a convertible.

But in the lineup of cars that the OP is discussing it is by far the best coupe IMHO.

Are you replacing the 6er as a "time to upgrade" and want AWD as a must-have, or do you still like the 6 but and want to replace it because you feel the 6er won't be able to handle the winter conditions on the new commute?

If you are staying in the city then personally I find RWD plus good snows are fine in the winter especially on highways and major roads that never see deep snow. The only winter obstacle for the 6er is deep snow which is a problem with all low cars (includes all cars on your short list). When the bottom of the car is tobogganing on deep snow or the front lip is plowing then you going to have issues, even in an AWD Audi.

If you really want good snow performance I would put snow tires on the 6 and buy a cheap AWD truck for days when the roads are not clear. Best of both worlds. When driving on uncleared roads I am more worried about getting hit by other drivers than getting stuck or losing control. I don't know about you guys, but I have seen a dramatic drop in winter driver skills over the last 10 years or so. Driving an AWD truck will work much better in the snow than any car and you won't be too upset if someone smacks into you during a snowstorm. When the roads are dry just use the 6er.

If you have to stick to one car from your list I would go for the S5. Best looking by far and fast. A few other ideas: S4, older 911 C4S, a new G37x, X6 M (an acquired taste). Just keep in mind you are looking switch to a newer car with very little cash outlay so this equates to a car lower on the food chain.

Another thing to consider is a winter driving school. Very fun and I guarantee you will learn a lot and be much much safer in bad conditions.

If it was a vert id say "driving in the snow.... really....", but a coup. Keep it. Like they have said snow tires make a lot of difference.
And for bad snow days in and around NYC, traffic will be a nightmare no matter what vehicle you have. So then it will be how do you get to the train station / metro.
One thing for sure. Once you make it to a train station/metro you can get anywhere in the city

Based on looks, probably the S5. It's going to be hard to drive any other car but a 6. Once a 6'er, always a 6'er.